David Staig Jnr established this business in 1927 on the corner of Canterbury Road and Revers Street. He lived at 355 Canterbury Road, one of a series of shops (with living accommodation) owned and built in c1885 by Thomas C Hyde. G Staig (farmer) was the first in the family to occupy this, followed by James Staig (carpenter), then David Staig Snr (blacksmith) and David Staig Jnr. Bill Steiner was the chief mechanic at The Principal Garage; his apprentice Frank Senior eventually bought the business from David Staig and it became Senior's Garage. In 2020 there is a Shell service station and a Coles Express on the site. The Staig family were long-time residents of the area and this photo documents part of their business history. Dave Staig, who established this business, was an early aviator who designed and built his own plane.Black and white photo of a classic 1920's era garage build in brick and render and with 2 petrol bowsers on the curbside, either side of the central garage entrance. Advertising on the facade indicates Shell and Plume motor oils. There are 3 cars positioned in such a way that suggests this may have been a publicity photo. Advertising on the facade indicates that cars could be garaged at the facility and that the proprietor was D. Staig. It also indicates that the business was an agent for The Whippet car, the Willys-Knight car and the Overland car.principal garage, senior's garage, senior's motors pty ltd, garages, redvers street, canterbury road, david staig jnr, bill steiner, frank senior

As a 13 year old David Staig was inspired by a person who designed and flew a wooden bi-plane. He went on to design and build his own. His contribution to aviation is explained in the manuscript. It includes specifications of the Staig aircraft. 29/4/2019: Contact from David Staig's grandson, Frank Staig, informs that this manuscript contains some factual errors. To be corrected in an addendum. A manuscript, believed to be unpublished, which was compiled by William Greer. Bound by SHNCHC volunteer.(mr) david staig, (mrs) helen staig, (miss) agnes staig, (mr) joseph inglefinger, (mr) george robinson, butcher, surrey engine and boiler works, the principal garage, (miss) lillian staig, (master) david staig, (miss) elsie stevens, cirrus-staig, (mrs) elsie staig, canterbury road, surrey hills, (mr) bill steiner, (mr) joe tacey, (mr) s. n. rodda, hart aviation company, surrey motors pty ltd, (hon) (mr) william l baillieu, senior's motors pty ltd, (mr) joe francis, vine's timber yard, (miss) maude ratten, (mrs) p.d. waters, (mr) harry jewell, (mr) j. turner, (mr) frank senior